Saudi Arabian Oil Company

Omar Abdulwahab Al-Fuwaires

Md Amanullah

Abdulaziz Salah Bubshait

Turki Thuwaini Mohammed Alsubaie

Abdullah M Al-Dhafeeri

Abdullah Mohammed Al-Harith

Turki Thuwaini Alsubaie

A method of conversion of a water-based mud to a gel-based LCM quickly to control lost circulation in a lost circulation zone in a wellbore during continuous drilling with a drilling mud, the drilling mud comprises a volcanic ash, water, a de-foamer, a pH buffer, and a polymer. The method comprises the steps of entering the lost circulation zone, determining a lost circulation volumetric flow rate, metering a first amount of a binder into the drilling mud to create a binder containing mud, pumping the binder containing drilling mud into the wellbore, and suspending metering of the first amount of the binder to the drilling mud after a pre-defined regulating period of time effective to permit the binder containing drilling mud to create a gel-based LCM operable to alter the lost circulation zone.

Method of conversion of a drilling mud to a gel-based lost circulation material to combat lost circulation during continuous drilling

An apparatus and process for testing a sample of a hydraulic fracturing fluid is provided. A small quantity of a fracturing fluid sample to be observed and/or tested is placed in a chamber designed with suitable heat and pressure simulation apparatus. With the sample chamber, the efficacy of the fracturing fluid can be ascertained, improper fracturing fluid compositions and/or mixtures, e.g., caused by human error, can be detected, and contamination of the frac-tank can be determined. The overall apparatus is portable and can be transported to the site of the fracturing fluid tank, thereby allowing testing immediately prior to introduction into the well. The samples in the test chamber can be observed for quality control and quality assurance prior to, or during stimulation and water shutoff treatments in the field.

Process for testing a sample of hydraulic fracturing fluid

Growing community of inventors

Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Omar Abdulwahab Al-Fuwaires